Wardrobe apparel case

ABSTRACT

A carrying case for clothing and apparel having compartments at opposite sides of a center panel respectively (1) to accommodate garments held on hangers and folded when the case is closed but extended when the case is open and suspended, and (2) to contain one or more trays to hold apparel and the like and arranged to be extended horizontally when the case is open and suspended. An elongated horizontal compartment is provided adjacent the normal top panel of the case which extends for the full width thereof. A cover of flexible material encloses the case and has side panels adapted to be unfastened to expose and permit opposite sides of the case to be opened when suspended with the normal bottom of the case disposed uppermost.

United States Patent 1191 Thornton, Jr.

[111 3,869,034 [451 Mar. 4, 1975 WARDROBE APPAREL CASE [76] Inventor: Henry M. Thornton, Jr., Wyndham Dr,, York, Pa. 17404 [22] Filed: Jan. 29, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 327,843

[52] US. Cl 190/13 R, 190/26, 190/31,

190/41 B, 190/52 {51] Int. Cl. A47b 61/02, A47b 61/06 [58] Field of Search 190/3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10,

190/13 R, 13 B, 13 C, 13 D, 13 E, 13 F, 13 G, 13 H,3l,34,35, 17,41 R,41Z,4l 8,49,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,017,755 2/1912 Hawley 190/13 R 1,244,647 10/1917 Shaw 190/13 G UX 1,438,737 12/1922 190/41 B 1,989,778 2/1935 190/41 B 2,015,966 10/1935 190/35 X 2,639,793 5/1953 Hellman 190/13 R 2,724,467 11/1955 .laffe 190/26 2,893,523 7/1959 Mitchell 190/41 Z FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 844,390 8/1960 Great Britain ..190/4l Z Primary 1:.raminer--Donald F, Norton Attorney, Agent, or FirmC. Hercus Just [57] ABSTRACT A carrying case for clothing and apparel having compartments at opposite sides of a center panel respectively (l) to accommodate garments held on hangers and folded when the case is closed but extended when the case is open and suspended, and (2) to contain one or more trays to hold apparel and the like and arranged to be extended horizontally when the case is open and suspended. An elongated horizontal compartment is provided adjacent the normal top panel of the case which extends for the full width thereofv A cover of flexible material encloses the case and has side panels adapted to be unfastened to expose and permit opposite sides of the case to be opened when suspended with the normal bottom of the case disposed uppermost.

11 Claims, 19 Drawing Figures WARDROBE APPAREL CASE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The carrying of wearing apparel while traveling, including temporarily storing the same during occupancy of hotel and motel rooms has been a problem for many years with respect to removing items of clothing there from and maintaining the apparel in neat, smooth condition in which it is unwrinkled. There is especially the very substantial problem and inconvenience of packing and unpacking suitcases and similar containers in which the apparel is carried while living out of a suitcase when traveling. Further, suitcases in a hotel room are usually either in ones way or unsightly unless completely or partially unpacked and, for example, placed under a bed or in a closet. Locating and removing clothing from a packed or partially unpacked suitcase is frequently difficult and causes disarrangement and wrinkling. A suitcase simply is not a convenient means for storing clothing in a hotel room under present conditions, with present types of suitcases.

Arranging and maintaining certain articles of apparel not normally carried or suspended on hangers, such as underclothes, stockings and socks, night clothes, shirts and shirtwaists, handkerchiefs, and numerous other items such as beauty preparations, shaving equipment, etc., still offer many problems relative to packing and maintaining the same in an orderly manner, especially for ready availability when using conventional suitcases. Continual packing and unpacking suitcases each night and morning is a great inconvenience.

Due to the fact that the foregoing problems are so common and a wide variety of people are familiar with the problems, many solutions have been attempted which comprise the subject matter of prior patents. Certain of these have included compartments within which elongated garments are stored, in combination with additional means to hold other items of apparel in more compact manner and in various positions for accessibility. Included among these is U.S. Pat. No. 842,277 to Villmow, dated Jan. 29, 1907, in which a compartment is provided for elongated garments to be supported on hangers and in at least partially folded condition within the suitcase. There also is, included a tray section somewhat resembling a small suitcase in itself, which is pivotally connected to the frame of the main suitcase and adapted to be pivotally moved from and into enclosed position.

Another such patent is U.S. Pat. No. 1,292,493 to Logan, dated Jan. 28, 1919. This patent shows a suitcase having two similar, opposed sections adapted to be folded apart relative to each other with respect to a central section. An additional article-containing box with a hinged cover is pivotally associated with the central section and is adapted to contain smaller articles of clothing, while the two side sections that are movable toward and from each other are adapted to support elongated clothing in semi-folded condition.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,796,961, to Ritter, dated Mar. 17, i931, shows a wardrobe case similar to that of the Villmow patent, but into which further refinements have been introduced for purposes of rendering articles of apparel stored in certain exposed compartments more readily available than in the aforementioned patents when these compartments are disposed in open positron.

Still another patent of the type referred to is U.S. Pat. No. 2,036,346, to Meyer, dated Apr. 7, 1936. The wardrobe case or trunk described in said patent primarily is adapted to hold elongated garments in smoothly folded condition when the trunk or suitcase is closed, but supports the same in hanging fashion from a coat hanger within the case when the case is suspended from overhead means and is disposed in open condition.

As modes of travel progress over the years, and also as new materials for making wardrobe cases and suitcases become available, the possibility for improving previous designs of these types of apparel carrying means has increased to adapt the same to such newer modes of travel, especially to permit the cases to withstand handling to which they are subjected by modern conveyors, careless porters, and otherwise. In view of this, the present invention has been devised to constitute desired improvements over such aforementioned prior devices, primarily for purposes of simplifying construction, and particularly to render the packing, use, and unpacking of suitcases more convenient and adapted to be undertaken more readily than when using such previous designs of apparel carrying cases. Such improved type of suitcase also is adapted to contain a wide range of different types of clothing and apparel and disposes all of the same readily available for access when the case is open. No unpacking or repacking is necessary and the suitcase is maintained in convenient and slightly condition by being suspended on a hook or clothespole in a closet or alcove in a hotel room. Details of the advantages and structure of the various embodiments of said new wardrobe apparel case are set forth below.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is the principal object of the present invention to provide a clothing or apparel case, essentially including two primary compartments respectively disposed at op posite sides of the case and separated by a suitable partition, whereby elongated clothing, such as suits, dresses, and the like, may be carried in neatly folded condition in one of said compartments, while the other compartment houses one or more trays which are adapted to be pivoted from compact, closed condition to horizontally extending, open conditions so as to present the articles of clothing contained therein handy for access, both when packing and unpacking the same.

Another object of the invention is to provide a case of the type referred to in which the basic frame may be U-shaped and the bight panel portion thereof comprises the bottom of the case while it is being carried by a handle provided along the opposite panel of the case but said bight portion being disposed uppermost and adapted to be connected to a supporting hook or clothes rod, whereby the case is supported in depending manner to facilitate ready access to the contents of the case when the various compartments thereof are arranged in open condition.

A further object of the invention is to provide an auxiliary compartment immediately adjacent and extending along the inner surface of said bight portion of the U-shaped frame of the case, said compartment being readily adapted to accomodate shoes, books, toilet articles, and the like, which are of a somewhat bulky nature.

Still another object of the invention is to support said aforementioned trays by pivotal means within the frame of the case, said pivot means also being adapted for separation of the trays from the case to permit the same and the contents of the trays to be placed directly in bureau drawers, as well as facilitate the packing of the trays in a handy position prior to attaching the same to the frame of the suitcase for compact arrangement therein, the trays also including covers adapted to extend across the upper face thereof and, thus, retain the articles packed therein substantially within the positions in which they have been packed under circumstances where the tray is pivotally moved to closed position within the frame, in which it is disposed substantially vertically in use while being carried or stored.

A still further object of the invention is to provide supporting arrangements whereby one tray may be disposed a convenient distance below another tray when the trays are opened for access, as when the case is suspended from overhead means and the trays are supported in outwardly projecting position.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an exterior cover for the case which closely conforms thereto and may be entirely removed from the case when desired, said cover having opposite sides connected along its edges by slide fastening means to the edges of a central panel which extends along the outer surfaces of the U-shaped frame of the case, the arrangement of the side panels of the cover being such that when the case is suspended from overhead means and the oppostie sides thereof are to be opened for access to the contents, the side panels of the cover may depend vertically downward from the lowermost portion of the case and not interfere with the opening of the compartments at opposite sides of the case.

Still another object of the invention ancillary to the immediately foregoing object is that the cover is provided with a reinforcing strip which extends between the ends ofthe central panel to provide means to which the opposite side panels of the cover may be connected, said reinforcing strip also having a carrying handle connected thereto, midway of its ends, for use when the cover is closed, so as to completely cover the entire case, said coveralso having buttons on the central panel thereof upon'which the case may rest upon a supporting surface when the handle of the cover is uppermost.

Details of the foregoing objects and of the invention, as well as other objects thereof are set forth in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings comprising a part thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is perspective view of an exemplary wardrobe apparel case embodying the principles of the present invention and showing the case per se enclosed in a removable cover.

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but illustrating the case suspended from an overhead bar and one side of the cover being disposed in depending, open position.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing one of the trays suspended downward from one of the side compartments of the case.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 and including the suspending bar and in which an innermost tray is shown in open, outwardly projecting position with respect to its compartment.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 but showing the additional, depending tray disposed in its open, outwardly projecting position and in which the contents of both of thetrays are readily accessible, removable covers therefor being shown in extended and partially fragmentary position.

FIG. 6 is a perspective, fragmentary view showing details of the trays shown in FIGS. 3-5 and certain supporting means therefor.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, perspective exploded view showing a cover for one of the trays removed from its connecting means on the tray to illustrate the removability of the cover.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary, perspective view on a larger scale than employed in FIG. 5 and illustrating further details of the trays and the supporting means for said case.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary, perspective exploded view showing details of connecting means for lowermost tray shown in FIG. 8 with respect to a link which supports said tray when in open position.

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but illustrating the opposite side of the case from that shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 10 being the first of a series of views progressively illustrating details of structure and function of the opposite side of the case from that which contains the trays illustrated in the preceding figures.

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10 but in which one side of the cover for the case has been extended to open position and part of the frame has been broken away to illustrate details of structure.

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 11 but in which a cover panel for the illustrated side of the case has been moved to open, depending position to support elongated garments, one of which is shown supported from an extensible supporting bar and also illustrating an overall overhead suspension bar upon which the extensible supporting bar and the case are supported by hook means.

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary perspective view of the lower portion of the case and cover shown in FIG. 10 and illustrating one embodiment of carrying handle for the case.

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary plan view of an exemplary mechanism for retaining coat hangers in desired position upon the interior suspension rod illustrated in FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary perspective view showing on a larger scale than employed in FIG. 12 details of a clothing retaining bar around which elongated clothing is adapted to be folded when stored within the case in order to retain the clothing in straight condition.

FIG. is a perspective view of the cover per se for the apparel case which is illustrated in separated condition from the case with the sides extended to open position.

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary end elevation of the cover shown in FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the case per se with the cover removed and in condition to have the cover of FIG. 16 attached thereto.

FIG. 19 is a side elevation of the cover shown in FIG. 16 with the sides in closed position, the scale used in FIG. 19 being slightly smaller than that of FIG. 16 and FIG. 18.

I DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to FIG. 1, the wardrobe apparel case com prising the present invention is illustrated in what might be termed an inverted position because it is in this posi tion that the case is intended to be used when suspended from a supporting hook, clothes pole or otherwise, such as normally found in motel closets or alcoves. In this figure, the case per se is illustrated as being completely enclosed within a cover which completely covers all parts of the case. Said cover consists of a central panel 12 which extends around the normal bottom of the case and along opposite ends thereof, said bottom being shown uppermost in said figure. Side panels 14 are connected to each other at one edge extending along the normal top 16 of the case which is shown lowermost in FIG. I. The edges of the side panels 114 are connected to the adjacent edges of the central panel 12 by rows of slide fastening means 18, such as conventional zippers.

The side panels 14 not only extend along opposite side faces of the case, but also partially across the normal top 16 to the median line thereof, where the same are connected together and they also preferably are connected to a reinforcing strip 20 which has upturned end overlying portions of the terminal ends of the cen tral strip I2. The cover 10 may be formed from any suitable material such as appropriate canvas, plasticcoated cloth, synthetic leather type sheet material of which many commercial brands are available, or flexible sheet plastic of appropriate composition. The outer surfaces of some of all panels of the cover 10 may be decorated appropriately both in regard to figures and- /or colors. The principal function of the cover 10 is to protect the case structure contained therein, said case per se being best illustrated in FIG. 18. The cover 10 per se, in opened condition, is best shown in FIG. 16 and in this condition, it is in position to receive the case 22 shown in FIG. 18.

Referring to FIGS. 2-9 in particular, the case 22 comprises a substantially U-shaped supporting frame 24 which preferably is of substantially uniform width and comprises supporting means. Said frame may be formed from any suitable durable material, such as synthetic resin, reinforced, if desired, with glass fibers or equivalent material; metal, especially light weight metal, such as aluminum or magnesium; thin plywood formed into such U-shaped configuration; or other appropriate material which is relatively stiff and durable. The frame 24 comprises a bight portion or connecting panel 26, which serves as the normal bottom of the case when being carried and for purposes of resting the case upon a supporting surface. Integrally connected to the bight portion or connecting panel 26 at the opposite ends thereof are end panels 28 comprising so-called legs of said frame 24.

Extending continuously between end panels 28 is a partition 30 which, for example, may be formed from the same material as the frame 24 or at least some other reasonably stiff material. The partition 30 is preferably substantially as wide as the frame 24 and the ends of the partition are integrally connected thereto. Said partition is spaced a limited distance from and is parallel to the bight portion 26 of the frame 24 and forms an elongated box-like compartment 32 of uniform height within which somewhat bulky items, such as shoes, books, toilet kits, and the like may be contained. Said compartment preferable is capable of being opened at opposite sides, such as when the side panels 14 of cover 10 are moved to open position, such as illustrated in exemplary manner in FIG. 2 in which one of the covers 14 is so disposed.

Extending perpendicularly from the lower face of the partition 30, as viewed in FIGS. 2-5, is a dividing partition 34, which may be formed from relatively stiff material or otherwise. If desired, the material may be the same as that from which the frame 24 and partition 30 are formed. Said dividing partition is firmly connected at one edge to the adjacent surface partition 30 and the opposite edge thereof is co-extensive with the normal top 16 of the case. The opposite ends of dividing partition 34 also preferably are firmly connected to the inner surfaces of the end panels or legs 28 of the U- shaped frame 24 substantially midway between the outer side edges 35 thereof, as clearly shown in FIGS. 3 and II. The partition 34, in its capacity of dividing the interior of the case 22, forms a pair of compartments 36 and 38, which respectively have separate functions to contain apparel and other articles of clothing, described in deail hereinafter. They preferably are of the same capacity and shape, although this is not to be considered a critical limitation since the sizes, particularly the depths of said compartments may vary to reasonable degrees. The function and contents of compartment 38 are illustrated in detail in FIGS. 2-9, which details are as follows:

The principal function of compartment 38 is to contain one or more apparel-accommodating trays 40 and 42. Said trays preferably are similar in shape, both as to plan view, as well as height. The frames of the trays may be formed from any suitable relatively stiff material, such as wood, light weight metal, formed from suitable synthetic resin, composition board, or otherwise. The bottom panel 44 of each tray preferably is formed from rigid or semi-rigid light weight material, such as pressboard, sheet resin, metal, or if desired, each of the entire trays 40 and 42 may be molded in its entirety from synthetic resin. If desired, the bottom panel may also be formed from flexible, fabric-like material, especially if the frames are substantially rigid.

Each tray also preferably is provided with a flexible cover sheet or net sheet 46 which is of complementary area to the upper face of each tray. Referring to FIG. 7, it will be seen that the cover sheet 46 may be secured detachably to the tray by suitable snap-fasteners 48 of conventional co-engageable type. The outer edge of each cover 46 also is provided with any appropriate type of releasable fastener to secure the covers v46, preferably tautly, over the tops of the trays. Said trays are highly suited to accommodate items of apparel which are not of the hanging type, and which, in general, are smaller in size than dresses and suits or coats, for example.

The tray 40, which is uppermost when in open position, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, is pivotally connected adjacent its inner edge to the end panels 28 of frame 24. This may be accomplished by any appropriate means which provide for quick disconnection and reconnection. One suitable means comprises headed pins 49 which are co-engageable with keyhole slots 50, see FIG. 8, provided respectively in the opposite end side panels of tray 40. When tray 40 is folded into closed condition against partition 34, as shown in FIG. 3, there is still space between the bottom panel 44 of said tray and the outer edges of frame 24 to accommodate an additional tray 42. Such accommodation is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 6, wherein the bottom panel 44 of said tray serves as an outer panel for the compartment 38 as shown in FIG. 2. Another possible pivotal supporting means for tray 40, not shown, could be a flexible strip connected to the lower edge of partition 34 and detachably connected to the inner frame member of tray 40.

Tray 42 is pivotally supported adjacent its rearward ends of the sides of the frame thereof respectively by a pair of supporting links 52 which comprise extension means and are connected at one end by pins 54 to end panels 28 of frame 24, see FIG. 3. From FIG. 6, it will be seen that the other ends of links 52 are detachably and pivotally connected to the sides of the frame of tray 42 by suitable means such as headed pins 48 which fit into keyhole slots 50 in said other ends of the links, as shown in FIG. 9.

The tray 42, which is outermost when the trays are in closed condition as shown in FIG. 2, is first pivotally moved outwardly and downwardly to the position shown in FIG. 3. This then renders tray 40 accessible. Both of the trays then are in position to be moved to horizontally extended position such as shown in FIGS. and 8. They are supported in such position by appropriate suspending means 56 which may comprise, preferably flexible fabric tapes woven from strong, durable fibers, such as Nylon, or they may be formed from any other preferably flexible tape-like material respectively fastened at opposite ends to the sides of the tray frames and the inner surfaces of the end panels 28 of frame 24. One connection of each of the tapes preferably should be of the readily disengageable type, such as a snap fastener 58 shown in exemplary manner in FIGS. 5 and 8. By virtue of the disconnectability of the trays 40 and 42 from their supporting means and also the disengagement of the suspending means 56 from each of said trays, it is apparent that the trays readily may be removed entirely from the case 22, such as for purposes of being placed within a bureau drawer in a motel or hotel, for example, or they may similarly be removed for packing purposes prior to installing them in the case frame 24. It also will be seen that when the frame 24 is suspended from suitable overhead supporting means, such as a hook, or a clothes pole 60, which is shown in exemplary manner in FIGS. 2, 3 and 12, the movement of the trays 40 and 42 between stored and opened position readily is feasible. If desired to use the trays as temporary storage means, such as while occupying a hotel room, for example, the case may be suspended in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 2-5, by means of a hook 62, which is preferably swivelly connected to the bight portion 26 of the U-shaped frame 24. Due to the fact that said bight portion normally is the lower portion or bottom of the case when being carried, it is preferred that the hook 62 may be held in flat condition, such as shown in FIG. 1, by a suitable strap 64 or equivalent securing means. A latch 86, see FIGS. 6 and 8, secures trays 40 and 42 in closed position.

Referring now to the details of compartment 36, attention is directed to FIGS. 10-15. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, compartment 32 preferably extends entirely between the end panels 28 in lengthwise direction, and the crosswise, it is as wide as the transverse dimension of the U-shaped frame 24. Also, partition 34 forms the rear wall of compartment 36 as viewed in FIG. 12. Said compartment primarily is intended to contain larger items of apparel such as suits, coats, dresses, and the like which, at least in general, usually require at least one fold to be formed in the garment incident to packing within the compartment 36. Such exemplary garment 66 is illustrated in exemplary manner in hanging condition in FIG. 12. For convenience, garments of this type normally are suspended initially upon coat hangers 68 and to accommodate the same, the compartment 36 is provided with an appropriate fixed bar 70, which is best shown in FIG. 12. The same also has an extendible portion 72 thereon which may be either foldable or telescopically contractable and expandable. The extendible bar 72 also has a hook 74 mounted on the outer end thereof which is adapted to be engaged with another overhead hook or other suitable support such as a clothes pole 60 and thereby afford reasonable latitude for coat hangers 68 to be separated along the extendible bar 72 and thus maintain the clothes in freely hanging, unfolded condition, such as when the case 22 is supported in the manner shown in FIG. 12. The hooks of the coat hangers 68 may be retained upon fixed bar by a suitable pivoted clip element 71, as shown fragmentarily in FIG. 14 in top plan view.

Compartment 36, as seen from FIG. 11, has an outer panel 74 which, like panels 34 of trays 40 and 42 may be either soft and flexible or formed from rigid sheet material similar to that from which partition 34 or the tray bottoms 44 are formed, or otherwise. Such panels should be reasonably rugged so as to be capable of sustaining limited shock in normal use. One edge of the panel 74 is provided preferably with a flexible strip 76 which is of limited width and comprises a flexible hinge strip. The edge thereof opposite that which is connected to panel 74 comprises a detachable edge 78 which is removably connectable to the dividing partition 34, for example, by suitable snap fasteners 79, as shown in exemplary manner in FIGS. 11 and 12. Connected to the ends and along the free edge of outer panel 74 are side strips 80 and 82. If desired, these may be formed from the same material as the sides of trays 40 and 42. Similarly, if desired, the side strips 80 and 82, as well as the outer panel 74, may be formed integrally by molding from synthetic resin, shaped from metal sheet material of suitable light weight, or otherwise. Also, the ends of the side strips 80 preferably are connected to the end panels 28 of frame 24 by short flexible strips 84 which are either of an elastic nature or may be folded by puckering, as shown in FIG. 11, when the panel 74 and its side strips are folded into closed position, such as shown in FIG. 11 and secured in such position by an appropriate latch 86.

The principal purpose of the flexible hinge strip 76 is to smoothly fold elongated garments, for example, around a rigid folding strip 88 which extends between the inner surfaces of the end panels 28 of frame 24. The ends may be secured suitably in any appropriate brackets 90 which are fixed to the inner surfaces of end panels 28. Preferably, the entrance end of each slot 92 is formed to exert friction upon the end of strip 88 received therein, as can be seen from FIG. 15.

To mount elongated articles of apparel 66, for example within compartment 36 or to remove them therefrom, the case 22 preferably is suspended vertically from a hook or other overhead means with the outer panel 74 depending downward in open position for ready access to compartment 36. Also the case 22 may be laid horizontally upon a supporting surface for placing garments therein. In either event, when the strip 88 is removed, garments mounted upon coat hangers 68 can be attached to or removed from fixed bar 70 without interference from depending panel 74. Thus, the lower end of the suspended compartment 36 is open,

as well as the front face thereof. Compartment 36 preferably is arranged to accommodate a limited number of such garments. After mounting garments upon the bar 70, the strip 88 is placed over the outermost garment to serve as a fold line for the garments when outer panel 74 is foldedupwardly into the closed position shown in FIG. ll. The lowermost portions of the garments will then be folded upwardly around strip 88 and be held in such folded position when outer panel 74 is closed after first folding extendible bar 72 to contract it.

The majority of the foregoing description has been given in connection with the case 22, although references have been made occasionally to the cover which is made of flexible material and includes the central panel 12 and the side panels 14. In the preferred construction of the cover 10, it is removable from the case 22. In use, however, it is not necessary that the cover be removed from the case, especially since the ends and free edge of each of the side panels 14 are secured to the edges of the central panel 12, when in closed position, by slide fastening means 18. Such fastening means, in general, are referred to as Zippers. To actuate the fasteners, the slides thereof have small handles 94. In the open position, the handles are respectively adjacent the connected edge of the side panels 14 at each end thereof, only one such end being shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, for example. When in closed position, the side panels 14 are secured to the edges of the central panel 12 by the fastening means 18 and this is achieved by pulling the slides and handles 94 into abutment with each other, as shown in FIG. 1 in exemplary manner adjacent the upper part of said figure. The edge of the opposite side panel 14 from that shown in FIG. 1 is similarly secured to the edges of the central panel 12.

Several expedients may be utilized in connecting the side panels 14 to the terminal ends of the end panels of the central panel 12. One suitable expedient is illustrated in FIGS. 16, 18 and 19. In these figures, the upturned terminal ends 20 of a narrow web or tape 98 are secured by appropriate stitching, rivets, or otherwise to the outer surfaces of the terminal ends of the end panels of central panel 12. The web or tape 98 may be formed from material similar to that from which the cover It) is formed, or otherwise. Preferably, the web or tape should be capable of withstanding substantial tensile forces. This is because a carrying handle 100 preferably is secured to said web or tape intermediately of the opposite ends thereof, as shown in FIG. 19. The handle, incidentally, may be formed from the same material as the web or tape 98. Stitching, rivets, or otherwise may be used to secure the ends of the handle to said web or tape. The edges of the side panels 14 may be secured to the web or tape by snaps, stitching, or otherwise. If desired, the web or tape 98 also may be of such nature that it would be capable of receiving a stiffening member such as a strip of wood, plastic or metal, or a rod or tube of suitable shape.

When the case 22 has the cover 10 applied thereto and is disposed in closed condition thereover, the same will be carried by the handle 100. When it is desired to support the covered case upon a supporting surface when the handle 100 is uppermost, it is preferable that suitable means such as buttons 102 of a type similar to those used at present on the bottoms of suitcases, may be applied to the central panel 12 at appropriate locations to afford satisfactory support for the covered case in such manner that only the buttons engage the supporting surface. Also, the central panel may be provided with a suitable opening 104 through which the hook 62 may extend from its connection with the bight portion 26 of the case 22. The strap 64, under such circumstances, may be secured by snap fasteners or the like to the central panel 12 of the cover 10 to hold the hook 62 in the rest position which is illustrated in FIG. 16. If desired, a suitable handle 100 may be hingedly secured to the terminal edge of partition 34 and extend through a slot in panel l2 of cover 10.

The cover 10, or a similar equivalent means, also permits another expedient of construction, particularly for supporting the trays 40 and 42 and also the panel 74 and the side strips and 82 thereon. Particularly since the side panels 14 are flexible and durable, either they, or equivalent panels, may be secured to the U-shaped frame 24 or, if desired,- they may be secured at one end, in back-to-back manner, to the lower surface of partition 30, for example, and depend downwardly therefrom. One long side of each of the trays 40 and 42 is detachably secured to one of the flexible panels at longitudinally spaced locations, such as by snap fasteners, zippers, or otherwise. Thus, when the lower portion of such flexible panel is folded upwardly, the trays 40 and 42 will be folded into closely overlying condition with each other and with the bottom panel 44 of tray 42 outermost to support and reinforce the supporting flexible panel which covers it, such panel being attached, for example, to the edges of frame 24 by zippered fasteners 18 or other equivalent securing means. The trays can be folded outwardly to horizontal position for use when the flexible supporting panels 14 are suspended downwardly. The trays employ suspending means such as straps 56 or the like to maintain them in horizontal position.

Under the foregoing circumstances, the companion flexible panel 14 also has the panel 74 detachably connected thereto, at the edge of panel 74 which is opposite side strip 82 thereof, in a manner to replace flexible hinge strip 76 but serves a similar function. Thus, when said companion flexible panel 14 is folded upwardly to the position shown in FIG. 10, for example, and secured in closed position by the exemplary fasteners 18, the panel 74 will be maintained in closed position.

Rather than employ the side panels 14 of cover 10 to support trays 40 and 42 and panel 74 in the manner described immediately above, additional similar panels may be employed in the manner described and when the cover 10 is applied to the closed case, both compartments 36 and 38 will be held in abutting, back-toback relationship. However, if it is desired not to use an overall enclosing cover, such as cover 10, the respective closed compartments may be held in abutting back-to-back relationship by suitable cross straps, not shown, similar to those used in flexible suitbags of current popular type to hold folded sections together.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the present invention provides a wardrobe apparel case and a protecting cover therefor, the case having compartments therein effectively separated from each other and respectively adapted to contain a wide variety of items of apparel and clothing, ranging from smaller items to full length coats, dresses and suits. All of the items may be supported and held effectively and smoothly when the case is closed. Also, when it is desired to open the case to remove clothing or temporarily store the same, such as when supported in suspended manner from a hook or clothespole in a motel room overnight or otherwise, the case may be opened in such manner as to support conveniently the smaller items of apparel in the opened, horizontally arranged trays, while the longer articles of clothing may be supported in fully extended, hanging position. If desired, however, the trays also may be removed from the frame of the case to permit the same to be disposed at a convenient location to pack the trays or, if desired, the loaded trays may be removed from the frame and placed within a drawer of a chest or bureau in the motel or hotel room and thus, not require unpacking of the trays.

Another advantage resulting from providing trays at least at one side of the suitcase which are detachable is that a variety of trays of different heights may be provided. Rather than utilizing a plurality of relatively thin trays at any desired time, a single tray having a depth or thickness equal to the summation of depths of the thin trays may be used with the same facility as the plurality of thin trays. Such a possibility provides a much greater range of packing and carrying possibilities than if only a single deep tray or a plurality of thin trays are provided. Under the foregoing circumstances, the flexible outer cover will function with equal facility under either arrangement of trays.

While the invention has been described and illustrated in its several preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the precise details herein illustrated and described since the same may be carried out in other ways falling within the scope of the invention as illustrated and described.

I claim:

I. A suitcase for carrying wearing apparel and the like comprising in combination, a substantially U- shaped frame having longitudinally extending end panels and a connecting supporting panel adapted when in one arrangement to be carried by a handle and when in a second arrangement to be suspended from overhead means, a dividing partition extending between said end panels intermediately of the outer side edges thereof and perpendicular to said connecting supporting panel and said end panels to provide a pair of compartments in longitudinal back-to-back relationship, one or more tray-like members each having a bottom panel, pivot means connecting said tray-like member or members to said end panels of said frame in one of said compartments for movement between a compact folded position relative to said frame when said U- shaped frame is arranged to be carried and an outwardly extended substantially horizontal open position when said U-shaped frame is suspended to provide convenient access to apparel contained in said member or members, suspending means connected between said tray-like member or members and said end panels of said U-shaped frame and adapted to maintain said traylike member or members in said substantially horizontal open position relative to said frame when the latter is suspended as aforesaid, and said other compartment comprising a wardrobe compartment.

2. The suitcase according to claim 1 in which a plurality of tray-like members are supported in said one of said compartments in said U-shaped frame and said frame additionally having extension means pivotally connected between one of said tray-like members and said U-shaped frame and arranged to support said traylike member in spaced relationship below the other tray-like member when extended to open position to facilitate ready access to said one of said tray-like members when positioned horizontally relative to said U-shaped frame and the latter is in suspended position.

3. The suitcase according to claim 2 in which said extension means comprises a pair of parallel supporting links pivotally connected at one end to said end panels of said U-shaped frame and the other ends being connected to said one of said tray-like members.

4. The suitcase according to claim 3 in which said one of said tray-like members is positioned in flatly abutting relation to said other tray-like member when said tray-like members are positioned in carrying position within said U-shaped frame.

5. The suitcase according to claim 1 in which said pivot means by which said tray-like members are pivotally connected to said end members of said U-shaped frame are disconnectable to permit separation of said tray-like members from said U-shaped frame to facilitate access to said tray-like members for loading and unloading the same.

6. The suitcase according to claim 1 in which said wardrobe compartment further includes means to support garments in hanging condition within said compartment, said dividing partition having a free edge substantially coextensive with the ends of said end panels of said U-shaped frame, a side panel foldably interconnected to the free edge of said partition and adapted to be disposed selectively across the side face of said wardrobe compartment and in a downwardly extending position when the suitcase is suspended from the connecting supporting panel of said U-shaped frame, thereby to expose garments within said compartment when said enclosing panel is in said downwardly extending position.

7. The case according to claim 6 further including a bar extending transversely across said wardrobe compartment adjacent and spaced laterally from said dividing partition, said bar being adapted for garments to be folded thereover incident to compactly storing the same within said wardrobe compartment when closed bysaid side panel.

8. The suitcase according to claim 1 in which said connecting supporting panel of said U-shaped frame is uppermost when suspended vertically as aforesaid to permit movement of said tray-like members to open position and comprises a bottom for said suitcase disposed lowermost when said suitcase is being carried in closed condition, the portion of said suitcase which is opposite to said connecting supporting panel comprises the normal top of said suitcase and further includes a carrying handle connectedto said normal top, whereby said connecting supporting panel of said U-shaped frame of said case serves as a bottom of said case when being carried by said handle, and foldable hook means connected to said connecting supporting panel and operable to suspend the same from overhead means when said suitcase is arranged with said connecting supporting panel uppermost.

9. The suitcase according to claim 1 in which said U- shaped frame comprises a basic frame formed from a strip of material of substantially uniform width and the ends thereof being bent from a bight portion comprising said connecting supporting panel into parallel relationship with each other to form said end panels of substantially equal length, side panel members having similar edges extending between and interconnectable to and foldable downwardly from the outer ends of said end panels of said U-shaped frame from enclosing positions for the sides of said compartments to open positions to expose the contents of said compartments when said connecting supporting panel of said frame is disposed uppermost, and means to secure said side panel members in said enclosing positions thereof between the edges of said end panels.

10. The suitcase according to claim 1 further including an extendible bar mounted within said wardrobe compartment and adapted to support garments in hanging condition by means of coat hangers supported thereon, and the outer end of said extendible bar also having hook means thereon adpated to engage support means such as a hook or clothes pole when said suitcase is suspended therefrom and thereby support the outer end of said extendible support bar substantially in horizontal position and permit coat hangers to be disposed thereon in spaced relationship while supporting garments therefrom in freely hanging condition.

11. The suitcase according to claim 1 in which said dividing partition has one edge positioned adjacent and substantially in line with the outer ends of said end panels of said U-shaped frame, and a carrying handle for said case interconnected to said edge of said dividing partition, whereby said suitcase when carried is positioned with said handle uppermost and the connecting supporting panel of said U-shaped frame is lowermost. 

1. A suitcase for carrying wearing apparel and the like comprising in combination, a substantially U-shaped frame having longitudinally extending end panels and a connecting supporting panel adapted when in one arrangement to be carried by a handle and when in a second arrangement to be suspended from overhead means, a dividing partition extending between said end panels intermediately of the outer side edges thereof and perpendicular to said connecting supporting panel and said end panels to provide a pair of compartments in longitudinal back-to-back relationship, one or more tray-like members each having a bottom panel, pivot means connecting said tray-like member or members to said end panels of said frame in one of said compartments for movement between a compact folded position relative to said frame when said U-shaped frame is arranged to be carried and an outwardly extended substantially horizontal open position when said U-shaped frame is suspended to provide convenient access to apparel contained in said member or members, suspending means connected between said tray-like member or members and said end panels of said U-shaped frame and adapted to maintain said traylike member or members in said substantially horizontal open position relative to said frame when the latter is suspended as aforesaid, and said other compartment comprising a wardrobe compartment.
 2. The suitcase according to claim 1 in which a plurality of tray-like members are supported in said one of said compartments in said U-shaped frame and said frame additionally having extension means pivotally connected between one of said tray-like members and said U-shaped frame and arranged to support said tray-like member in spaced relationship below the other tray-like member when extended to open position to facilitate ready access to said one of said tray-like members when positioned horizontally relative to said U-shaped frame and the latter is in suspended position.
 3. The suitcase according tO claim 2 in which said extension means comprises a pair of parallel supporting links pivotally connected at one end to said end panels of said U-shaped frame and the other ends being connected to said one of said tray-like members.
 4. The suitcase according to claim 3 in which said one of said tray-like members is positioned in flatly abutting relation to said other tray-like member when said tray-like members are positioned in carrying position within said U-shaped frame.
 5. The suitcase according to claim 1 in which said pivot means by which said tray-like members are pivotally connected to said end members of said U-shaped frame are disconnectable to permit separation of said tray-like members from said U-shaped frame to facilitate access to said tray-like members for loading and unloading the same.
 6. The suitcase according to claim 1 in which said wardrobe compartment further includes means to support garments in hanging condition within said compartment, said dividing partition having a free edge substantially coextensive with the ends of said end panels of said U-shaped frame, a side panel foldably interconnected to the free edge of said partition and adapted to be disposed selectively across the side face of said wardrobe compartment and in a downwardly extending position when the suitcase is suspended from the connecting supporting panel of said U-shaped frame, thereby to expose garments within said compartment when said enclosing panel is in said downwardly extending position.
 7. The case according to claim 6 further including a bar extending transversely across said wardrobe compartment adjacent and spaced laterally from said dividing partition, said bar being adapted for garments to be folded thereover incident to compactly storing the same within said wardrobe compartment when closed by said side panel.
 8. The suitcase according to claim 1 in which said connecting supporting panel of said U-shaped frame is uppermost when suspended vertically as aforesaid to permit movement of said tray-like members to open position and comprises a bottom for said suitcase disposed lowermost when said suitcase is being carried in closed condition, the portion of said suitcase which is opposite to said connecting supporting panel comprises the normal top of said suitcase and further includes a carrying handle connected to said normal top, whereby said connecting supporting panel of said U-shaped frame of said case serves as a bottom of said case when being carried by said handle, and foldable hook means connected to said connecting supporting panel and operable to suspend the same from overhead means when said suitcase is arranged with said connecting supporting panel uppermost.
 9. The suitcase according to claim 1 in which said U-shaped frame comprises a basic frame formed from a strip of material of substantially uniform width and the ends thereof being bent from a bight portion comprising said connecting supporting panel into parallel relationship with each other to form said end panels of substantially equal length, side panel members having similar edges extending between and interconnectable to and foldable downwardly from the outer ends of said end panels of said U-shaped frame from enclosing positions for the sides of said compartments to open positions to expose the contents of said compartments when said connecting supporting panel of said frame is disposed uppermost, and means to secure said side panel members in said enclosing positions thereof between the edges of said end panels.
 10. The suitcase according to claim 1 further including an extendible bar mounted within said wardrobe compartment and adapted to support garments in hanging condition by means of coat hangers supported thereon, and the outer end of said extendible bar also having hook means thereon adpated to engage support means such as a hook or clothes pole when said suitcase is suspended therefrom and thereby support the outer end of said extendible support bar Substantially in horizontal position and permit coat hangers to be disposed thereon in spaced relationship while supporting garments therefrom in freely hanging condition.
 11. The suitcase according to claim 1 in which said dividing partition has one edge positioned adjacent and substantially in line with the outer ends of said end panels of said U-shaped frame, and a carrying handle for said case interconnected to said edge of said dividing partition, whereby said suitcase when carried is positioned with said handle uppermost and the connecting supporting panel of said U-shaped frame is lowermost. 